Conservation
Although 45% of Indonesian region is still inhabited and covered by tropical forests, high growth of Indonesian population, with its industrialisation, has slowly affected the existence of fauna in Indonesia. Moreover, wildlife trade has also worsened the condition of Indonesia's charismatic fauna, including rhinoceross, orangutans, tigers, and certain species of amphibians. Up to 95% of animals sold in markets are taken directly from the wild, rather than from captive breeding stock; and more than 20% of the animals died in transportation. As of 2003, The World Conservation Union lists as endangered 147 mammals, 114 birds, 91 fish and 2 invertebrate species.
Some of the richest habitats have been protected since the early 20th century under Dutch Colonial law. Indonesia's first national parks have been established in 1980, and the network has been rapidly growing since, reaching a total of 50 declared national parks in 2009. Six of these are also World Heritage Sites and 3 are wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar convention.
Read more about this topic: Fauna Of Indonesia
Famous quotes containing the word conservation:
“The putting into force of laws which shall secure the conservation of our resources, as far as they may be within the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, including the more important work of saving and restoring our forests and the great improvement of waterways, are all proper government functions which must involve large expenditure if properly performed.”
—William Howard Taft (1857–1930)
“A country grows in history not only because of the heroism of its troops on the field of battle, it grows also when it turns to justice and to right for the conservation of its interests.”
—Aristide Briand (1862–1932)